Crossing Egypt & Arabia Challenges

Article Index

CROSSING EGYPT CHALLENGE

Following the Arabia challenge this June will be the Cross Egypt Challenge. Scooter lovers from the four corners of the world converged into Egypt to take part in the third season this rally.

Last November, the one-of-a-kind cross-country scooter rally took off on Friday the 8th and the adventure lasted for the following nine days. The rally was closely monitored by local and international media and followed by thousands of fans miles apart through social media. The participants spread excitement throughout Egypt as they visited off-the-beaten track locations across the country. They pushed themselves to the limit and tested their vehicles on a variety of terrains. They feasted their sights on majestic deserts, fertile oases and crystalline seas. They forged bonds with fellow adventurers and came away with a once-in-a-life-time experience.

Cross Egypt Challenge 2013 began from Egypt’s second largest city, Alexandria. This city on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea has been associated since the days of yore, with enlightenment, culture and civilization. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the symbol of modern and ancient Alexandria, was chosen as the starting line for the challenge. Early Friday morning on November 8, family, friends and fans gathered in front of the great library to see this year’s team off on their adventure. Other scooter and motorcycle clubs joined the Cross Egypt Challenge team on their first ride from Bibliotheca Alexandrina to the Citadel of Qaitbay. Another landmark of the city, the citadel is believed to have been built from the remains of the legendary Lighthouse of Alexandria. Alexandrians driving by or walking on the city’s Corniche that Friday morning were pleasantly surprised by the sight of two hundred scooters and motorbikes making their way in the city. From Qaitbay the Cross Egypt Challenge team drove to Alexandria City Center where the official launch ceremony took place. This was attended by the UN Goodwill Ambassador Mahmoud Qabeel, government officials and other celebrities.

The riders’ first stop was Sixth of October city, a modern extension of Egypt’s capital Cairo which includes industrial, educational, media and residential facilities. The riders got a much needed rest in anticipation of the longest leg of their journey on the following day, a 365 km ride to Bahariya Oasis. At Bahariya they enjoyed their first “desert lunch” and experienced true Egyptian hospitality. The following day they covered about 185 km to Farafra Oasis in the New Valley Governorate. Farafra is known for its White Desert which gets its color from chalk rock formations that were created as a result of occasional sandstorms in the area. Farafra is also known for its revitalizing hot springs that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

The team’s next stop was Dakhla Oasis (or the inner oasis). Dakhla is about 275 km away from Farafra and lies between Farafra and Kharga Oasis (or the outer oasis). Once there, the riders visited the fortified Islamic town of Al Qasr which was built in the 12th century on the remains of a Roman era settlement. On day 5, the Cross Egypt Challenge 2013 team drove to Kharga Oasis, and upon arrival, they were greeted by the governor and a celebration was held in their honor which included a presentation of traditional “wahati” music and dancing. They camped in a small oasis called Baris near Kharga. It is thought that the name Baris means the house of Isis, the goddess of fertility.

On Wednesday morning the team said good-bye to the western desert and took their scooters to the city of Luxor located on the Nile River. After a tough journey covering 350 km, they finally reached their destination. Luxor is known for its ancient temples and pleasing scenery. The team was greeted by the Governor of Luxor at the Karnak Temple, nicknamed “the world’s largest open-air museum”. Here the riders enjoyed a show which featured traditional Egyptian music and dance. After a hectic few days in the desert, the team enjoyed a relaxing evening on the coast of the Nile. The following day they made their way east from Luxor towards the Red Sea. They were heading to the resort city of Hurghada. This coastal city is a favorite among tourists because of its posh hotels, sunny beaches and laid back lifestyle. There, some of the riders took a dip in the cool blue waters while other enjoyed touring the city. The team woke up early on Friday morning. They embarked on a picturesque but perilous journey, riding north to another coastal resort city, Ain Sokhna. Their narrow road had sharp twists and turns with the beautiful red hills on one side and the azure waters of the Red Sea on the other. After a six hour trip, they reached their destination. Despite their weariness, they did not want to rest since their journey was almost nearing its end. They spent time together, exchanged contact information and took their official Cross Egypt Challenge photographs.

On their ninth and final day, the team had a small distance to cover between Ain Sokhna and Cairo. This was an easy feat for the daring riders, who had rode through sun, rain, sand and fog. Upon reaching Cairo on that quiet Saturday morning of Novebmer 16th, they didn’t rush. They tried to take in every sight, sound and smell. Their journey would come to an end at the foot of the Great Pyramids of Giza, where they would be reunited with friends and family. When they arrived, their loved ones were already waiting eagerly for their arrival, holding signs like “Welcome back” and “We missed you”. They parked their scooters and gazed in amazement at the giant structures before their eyes. At that moment, they realized they had successfully completed the challenge. Mário César Mantovani from Brazil remarked, “The Cross Egypt Challenge was so well organized that when I stopped my scooter in front of the Great Pyramids, it read 2400 km exactly”. Mission accomplished.

This year’s team included forty-five experienced scooter riders from twelve different countries. Six brave ladies were part of the Cross Egypt Challenge 2013 team. In addition to fifteen Egyptians, there were participants from near and far like: Brazil, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Brunei, Greece, Romania, and New Zealand. Two South-African riders also took part in the challenge: Ahmed Johnson and Pierre Plessis. They were so impressed with people’s friendliness and hospitality, Egypt’s temperate climate and the vastness of the deserts and coasts. Johnson’s favorite spot was the White desert. He found how it contrasted with the Black Desert, breathtaking, like a “moonscape with its mushroom-shaped rocks”. According to Johnson, “Cross Egypt Challenge is a trip I would recommend to all adventure crazy motorcyclists. Doing this trip on a 150cc scooter adds to the fun”. He added, “The challenge allows one to experience the country’s beauty, its people, the culture and all this on two wheels”. Johnson was so impressed by the professional organization, and service provided by organizers that he has already signed up for next year’s event.

The organizers of Cross Egypt Challenge try to offer riders something new every year. The official spokesperson of the challenge, Ahmad Elzoghby, who is himself an avid scooter rider, explains, “Our focus is to offer scooter lovers a chance to experience Egypt like never before. Each year we carefully design new routes that are both adventurous and challenging.” He adds, “There are places we visit, that many Egyptians don’t even know about”. It seems that the formula is working since Cross Egypt Challenge has been witnessing exponential growth in number of applicants, participants and even followers on social media. One of the riders of Cross Egypt Challenge 2013, Maxine Featherstonhaugh from Canada, writes, “There is so much more to this country than I ever could have imagined. So happy to have been able to share the experience with the amazing people we met who have become friends for life. Thank you everyone for the joy, thank you Cross Egypt Challenge for the experience and thank you Egypt! You are incredible!”